How to light a hallway or stairs: what to consider

A hallway or a staircase is not a place to sit but a place to pass, and bad light there shows as a missed step. These are the things worth settling before you choose. The numbers are common rules of thumb, not fixed rules.

Wall lamps →·Ceiling lamps →·Pendant lamps →

Safety first

Stairs need even light that shows each step. A single bright light at the top or bottom can throw shadows over the steps in between and glare in the eyes.
Switches at both ends of a hallway or stair, or a sensor, mean you never walk in the dark. Fixed wiring should be done by a qualified electrician, and the rules differ by country.

Which lamps

Wall lamps along a hallway, a few metres apart, give an even light and leave the ceiling free. Mounted at about eye level, around 150-165 cm, they are often a good height.
Flush ceiling lamps suit a low hallway. A pendant on a stair needs its lower edge clear of heads, at least about 2 metres above the floor or the step.
Small lights low on the wall beside the steps show the way at night without lighting the whole house.

Projection and width

Check how far a wall lamp projects. In a narrow hallway a lamp that sticks out far can be knocked or hit with a shoulder.
A shade that is closed at the sides is less likely to be bumped than an open arm.

Light

Warm white light (around 2700 K) is the usual choice at home. A dimmer, or a sensor that gives a low light at night, is useful.
Check that the shades do not glare when you look up a stair.

Materials and care

Hallway lamps are touched and knocked more than most: check how the finish holds up. Glass shows dust and fingerprints.
Check how the bulb is changed at the top of a stair. A lamp that needs a long ladder or a stair tower is a poor choice for the place where it is hard to reach.

Questions worth asking the maker

What are the exact dimensions and how far does it project from the wall? Is the bulb included, replaceable and easy to change? Can it be dimmed or used with a sensor? What are the delivery and return terms?

Sources and further reading

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Wall lamps →·Ceiling lamps →·Pendant lamps →